How to Give Your Cat a Bath

Everyone who has ever tried to give a cat a bath knows it is not an easy procedure. For such clean animals, cats just hate getting wet. While you may have the exceptional cat which loves water, chances are you need to do this fast for maximum comfort.  In this article, we discuss tips how to give you cat a bath.

Dog owners will want to read the article How to Give Your Dog a Bath.

Start Bathing Your Kitten Young

Your best bet to make the whole experience easier is to start bathing your cat young. Older cats will be more reluctant to the bathing procedure. However, you can train a kitten to accept and possibly enjoy the procedure.

1) Trim the Nails

Before you attempt bathing your cat, make sure the nails are nice and trim. This will reduce any scratches and make everything go easier. For more information on Trimming Your Cat’s Claws, read our article in the cat care section.

2) Lock the Bathroom Door

Once you bring the cat into the bathroom, close the door and lock it. You do not want to have someone walk in while you are bathing the cat. If you don’t, then you will find yourself chasing a wet cat around the house.

3) Fill the Tub with Water

The tub should have about an inch of lukewarm water. Too much water and your cat will jump out. Too little and it will be hard to scoop water to rinse the cat.

4) Allow Your Cat to Roam

While you will want to grab the scruff of the neck if your cat tries to escape, letting your cat roam the tub is a good idea. The cat won’t feel trapped and you just might have a cat that does not mind.

5) Shampoo the Cat

Using a plastic cup scoop water out of the tub to wet the cat. Then, carefully apply the shampoo to the cat avoiding the eyes. (If removing fleas, read this article) Working quickly, lather the entire cat before rinsing. Rinse the cat by scooping water with the cup.

6) Pat the Cat Dry

Once the bath is done, use a fluffy towel to pat the cat dry. Remove as much water as possible with the towel. Then give your cat/kitten a treat for its good behavior.

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